Driving after C section

[bubble99]

I know I need to check with my insurance company but how soon after C Section did you drive?

[Gem13]

4 weeks. Insurance company said whenever but for me it was more an issue of being able to lift the children (had a 1.5 toddler too) and buggy in and out of the car.

Hard work!

[futurity]

3 weeks...which was yesterday! The physio woman at the hospital said they used to recommend 6 weeks but now they say 3-4 weeks.

[beansprout]

12 days - not recommended though. The doc that discharged me told me to drive whenever I wanted and I did feel ok (and really wanted to go out). Didn't know until much later that we are supposed to wait longer than that.

[uwila]

You're going to think I'm crazy, but I drove out of the parking space when we left the hospital. I have heard from several midwives and HVs that I wouldn't be insured. But, I have talked to many people who have contacted their insurance companies. And I have yet to find an insurance company who has a clause about post caesarean coverage. Mine said they had never even heard of such a thing. But, what I have heard is that you need your abdominal muscles to be in good enough shape to slam on the brakes in an energency, if need be. So, I would go for a slow test frive down your street (assuming it's not a busy one) and do a test emergency rake. If you feel okay and capable of handling the car, then you are probably okay to drive. I was driving daily after 2 weeks, and had no problems.

[Hazellnut]

4 weeks - the hospital told me it was up to my insurance company, no real medical reason why not, my insurance company told me it was up to my doctor !! My GP said I could at 4 weeks.... What a relief !!

[Hulababy]

I was told 6 weeks by my GP and HV. And I was told that, because that it what they had recommended, I wouldn't be insured to drive.

[highlander]

In Canada it's 10 days, although I could have managed at 7 days.

[gingerbear]

I could hardly walk out of the hospital, let alone drive!
Felt great not being chaufeur (sp?) for all and sundry for 6 weeks.
But went stir crazy not getting out and about for so long.

[eidsvold]

my insurance company said 6 weeks unless I had a doctors okay - which I got at 3 weeks for dd2... dd1 I had to wait the six weeks - only cause we were moved house 4 weeks after she was born and had to find a new GP. MY GP did tell me to take it easy despite the fact everything had healed very well at that stage....no lifting 2 1/2 yr old etc but I needed to drive at least short distances by four weeks.

[biglips]

same as hulababy

[aloha]

I drove after about ten days - probably could have driven earlier but it's so bloody cold and miserable I didn't want to leave the house! Driving whenever I need to now (three weeks on) and have also been picking up my very heavy three year old. Feel fine. Didn't check with insurance company, and had no medical advice not to drive.

[aloha]

I drove after about ten days - probably could have driven earlier but it's so bloody cold and miserable I didn't want to leave the house! Driving whenever I need to now (three weeks on) and have also been picking up my very heavy three year old. Feel fine. Didn't check with insurance company, and had no medical advice not to drive.

[bibiboo]

I waited the full 6 weeks, but I had an open wound and infection, and all sorts of yucky stuff going on, so felt better waiting (even though at the time it drove me crazy!)
About the insurance thing, I asked my DR who said to wait 6 weeks for my own peace of mind, but when I rang insurance, they said the had no policy for c-sections as such, but it would be classed as driving after major surgery, which they would require me to have the okay from my GP to drive after.
Looking back I'd say it's up to when you feel you can do it confidently, safely and comfortably.

[MamaMaiasaura]

ohh.. just seen this thread! didnt know they had reduced waiting time. That is good

[jabberwocky]

4 weeks, but I didn't know I was supposed to wait longer . It wasn't a problem.

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

hey bubble, still looking for the answer to the driving question huh? Seems I'm not the only one to not know Hope you find the answer soon.

[Leogaela]

12 days! I felt fine! I hadn't even thought about it!

[MrsBigD]

I waited the full 6 weeks, partially because I also couldn't be bothered to be the family chauffeur. Did try after 4 weeks but had some pain. I think it really depends on how you feel and whether you can left your legs properly

[mamadadawahwah]

I drove, very stupidly after about 8 or 9 days. I have to say, that should someone rammed into me, or if i had been in an accident, i would have been in big doodoo, cause I couldnt turn properly, and had to hold on to the wheel real tight when turning corners. I dont know what my insurance company would have said about that, i am sure they have a condition in the policy.

Be careful. Also getting in and out of the car was quite painful.

[Laura032004]

I left it a couple of days short of four weeks, but my first drive was only a few miles, and then from Plymouth to Gloucester . I have to say that I was fairly pain free before the drive, and it did set me back a bit, so I probably wasn't ready. However, I was still in pain as a passenger at that point, as I instinctively 'brake' for drivers anyway . MW said I could drive once I could sit down and lift my knees up to my stomach comfortably, which I suppose mimics an emergency stop (never done one before!)